Sunday, May 20, 2007

Still worried

I went to visit my mother in hospital yesterday and she is not looking at all good. At first she didn't even recognise me. The drug cocktail she has been prescribed has her feeling extremely disorientated and nauseous and yet she is still in a great deal of pain. I really think they need to do something to alleviate the cause of the pain rather than just dosing her up but the consultant will not be back until tomorrow.

When I got to the hospital she was lying on the bed holding onto a damp flannel which she held across her eyes and forehead like her life depended on it. She just kept repeating that she didn't know where she was and that she couldn't take much more of this. Later when she was a little more lucid (it comes and goes in waves) she told me that the flannel is the only thing that is keeping her sane. I had taken her a small fluffy black dog with really soft fur and she held it in her other hand mumbling about how soft it was. I think it really helped her have something to hold on to.

Being diabetic my mother has to take insulin and so it is important for her to eat. Unfortunately as she is feeling nauseous it is hard to get her to eat, but it is so important that she does. I had taken her some fresh fruit salad as I know my mum likes fruit. Thank goodness that I did as everything the hospital gave her made her feel worse but she ate some of the fruit before becoming disorientated once more. I insisted on seeing the nurse and her drugs have been adjusted slightly in the hope that this will help.

We are still uncertain as to what is wrong with my mother but it seems likely that two or three of her vertebra have crumbled causing the discs to slip and press on the sciatic nerve. I am terribly worried that this will mean that she will be wheel chair bound for the rest of her life now. My mother is pretty disabled anyway but fiercely tries to keep mobile as much as she can, even if it is just a few metres that she can walk. I know that if she can't walk at all this will upset her very much.

At the moment though I just hope that they do something to help her soon. It is extremely upsetting to see someone you love in such much distress and not be able to help. I stayed for a while and held her hand though she nodded off for much of the time. When we left I promised her I would return soon and then I went to have dinner with my dad. We took him to a nice pub nearby and bought him dinner which he enjoyed immensely. I didn't want him having dinner on his own. He is holding up okay but I can tell he is worried. I am too. Thanks for all your kind comments. Please keep sending the positive thoughts, they are much appreciated.

19 comments:

kenju said...

Bob-kat, I was hoping that your news would be more up-beat and hopeful. I am so sorry; I know your mom's pain must be intense, especially if she does have sciatic nerve problems. Here's hoping that the doctors will be able to help her soon and that she will not be confined to a wheelchair.

Roxie, Sammy, Andy and Shermie said...

We also are very sorry to hear you do not have better news about your mother. As frustrated as we are that we can't help you feel better, we can only image how you feel when it is your mother. We hope it helps, in some small measure, that you have your blogging friends to turn to for support.

The Dachsies' Mom and Roxie, Sammy & Andy

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry to hear your Mum isn't doing any better. I hope the hospital sort out her pain management sooner rather than later. My thoughts are with both you and your Mum.

Anonymous said...

What a difficult time this is for you. I'm praying for comfort for your mother, you and the rest of the family.

I'm glad you are there for her and your dad.

Anonymous said...

Bob-kat,

I'm so sorry to hear about your mother's condition. Back pain can be very very horrible. I know because my husband had two surgeries for it. Hopefully the doctors can tease out what's wrong quickly and work to alleviate the pain.

Hang in there! Sending good thoughts your way :).

Anita

Janejill said...

I am very sorry to hear about your great worries over your mother; iy is very hard to continue with life when someone close to you is so unwell. I do hope the doctors find the cause of the touble soon. All I have learned is that there is often something good coming out of sadness - it's just hard to find (sometimes. I thought of you last week when i was in Grenada - I saw lots of mocking birds, and remembered that you too had shown that as one of your favourites... My photos do not compare to yours .....)

Anonymous said...

Sending positive thoughts your mother's way! My grandfather was wheelchair-bound for about the past 8 years of his life - his condition was neurological and untreatable. It sounds like there's some hope for her to be up and around again, though, and I'm crossing my fingers for all of you.

The Turmanators said...

Oh, what a painful situation. I can only imagine what you must feel. Sounds like you are close by, though, and that is good. When my g'mo was ill my Mom was 6 hours away and it made things so much harder. Hang in there!

Here from Michelle's

Anonymous said...

In january of this year, I developed a c6/c7 lesion on my spine. The pain was excrutiating and I was paralysed completely down my right side... including my right lung and the right side of my throat making it almost impossible to swallow. Because it wasn't the result of an injury it took a week for a team of 7 doctors to diagnose me , in the meantime I suffered a major pulmonary embolism which almost took me out of the game for good.
I would never wish that kind of pain on another living being. I'm so sorry your mum is going through this. I send prayers for you and your mum.

Melody said...

I, like Kenju, was hoping your news would be a little more upbeat. I'm sorry your mum isn't feeling any better. I understand about her and the flannel. Sometimes something so simple when you are ill, does keep you sane. I'm sending more positive toughts your way...

Anna said...

I am so sorry to hear about your mother. What it must mean for you to be able to be there for your parents and love them well through this time. I am thinking of you all.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Dear Bob-Kat...This sounds utterly ghastly! I hope the doctor gets back and does something to help your mother....I can only imagine how horrific this is to see your Mum in so very much pain and disoriented, too...I bet she really appreciated you being there and bringing that soft animal, too! My prayers are with you, my dear...!

Preeti Shenoy said...

Prayers Bob-kat.Sending lots of psotive thoughts and wishes your way.Hope she feels better very soon.And you are doing a great job,being really supportive to your dad.
Hugs.

Ramona said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom, I think pain has got to be the biggest impediment to recovery. Just wondering, has your mom been seen by a neurosurgeon and is there anything that can be done about the disc pressing on her sciatic nerve? Is this where she is having her pain? Are her sugars stable? This may also affect her lucidity as well as the drug dosage. And, if she's not eating then she will be absorbing the pain meds differently, too. Email me if you have specific questions that you think I might be able to answer for you. (Free advice from the nurse!)

diyadear said...

oh bob,
lots of hugzz to u.. dont be too tensed dear.. have faith in god.. ur mom ill be fine soon.. take care of urself n ur mom..

Katherine said...

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry. I can't imagine how hard it is to watch a parent in pain and not be able to fix it. I'm sure you just being there for her and your dad does help tremendously though. I'm thinking good thoughts for you all.

srp said...

I hope your mother will be better soon. Did they do an MRI to see about her disc? My mom also has diabetes and it is so hard to get everything under control. Thoughts and prayers are coming your way.

MaR said...

I am so sorry to hear this, Bob-kat, and hope the doctors will find out the right treatment soon. And no wheelchair...
Sendig get well wishes to her and hugs to you...

rashbre said...

My thoughts with you at this tough time. Stay strong.